- Induction therapy: Patients receive ESHAP chemotherapy comprising etoposide IV over 2 hours on days 1-4, methylprednisolone IV over 15-30 minutes on days 1-5, cisplatin IV continuously over 96 hours on days 1-4, and cytarabine IV over 2 hours on day 5. Treatment repeats every 21-28 days for up to 4 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Approximately 21-52 days after completion of ESHAP chemotherapy, patients proceed to consolidation therapy.